The growth pattern of Catholicism in Korea is
unique. It was first introduced to the nation in 1784 not as a result of foreign
missionary work, but because of interest in Catholic teaching. Since then,
Korean Catholicism has been making steady progress, producing many martyrs and
saints during an intense period of persecution carried out by the government
between 1785 and 1887. Korea has 90 holy places, and 103 Vatican-approved
saints, the fourth largest number in the world.
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• Myeong-dong Catholic Church in Seoul
This is the largest
and the first great Cathedral in Korea and was built on the Myeongryebang (the
site where Kim Beom-u, the first Korean martyr, once lived). The 8th head of the
Joseon Parish, Bishop Mudelle, started its construction in the 29th year (1892)
of the reign of Joseon Emperor Gojong, after the Catholic persecution. This
Gothic style structure was designed by Jorge Caster and completed in 1898.
Transportation : Take Line 4 subway to Myeong-dong Station
or Line 2 to Euljiro Ipgu Station, and walk about 10 minutes. |
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• Saenamteo Memorial Martyr Church in Seoul
Sanamteo was where
many priests and laymen were martyred since the persecution against Catholics in
1801 called Sinyu-saok. Those killed at Saenamteo include the first Korean
priest Kim Dae-gon; Ju Mun-mo and Bishop Imbert, the first Chinese and French
clergy to enter Korea; and eight other priests.
Transportation : Walk
15 minutes from Yongsan Station, Subway Line1. |
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• Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine in Seoul
The original name of the
Jeoldusan was Yongdubong ("Dragon Head Peak"), but the place was renamed after
10,000 Catholics lost their lives in Korea near the end of the Joseon Dynasty.
Jeoldusan means mountain of beheading. Standing in the holy place is a church
where the remains of 28 saints are enshrined. The Jeoldusan Martyrs' Memorial
Museum exhibits various relics of church history. Hours are from 9:30 to 18:00
(Apr. - Sept.) or 09:30-17:30 (Oct.-Mar.) and the shrine is closed on Mondays.
Transportation : Walk 15 minutes from Yongsan Station,
Subway Line1. |
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• The Rosary Shrine of Namyang in Hwaseong-gun,
Gyeonggi-do
This Catholic martyrs execution site is today being turned into a
holy place where Catholics come to pray. The entire holy ground is decorated
with beads to conjure up the image of the Rosary. At nearby locations, there are
religious villages steeped in tradition including Surisan and Mirinae.
Transportation
:Take Subway Line 1 to Suwon Station and take a bus going to Osan. Then get
off at Namyang Agricultural Cooperative Center (about a 30-min. ride). |
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• House of the Virgin Mary in Naju, Jeollanam-do
On the
compound of the Naju House of the Virgin Mary is a Virgin Mary statue well known
to Korean Catholics for the miracle of shedding tears. It is said to have
dropped tears which rose as scented oil 700 times from 1985 to 1994. Foreign
visitors who drink the spring water from the nearby Mountain of the Virgin Mary,
or apply it to their bodies, often send letters after their return home
testifying to the mysterious healing effects of the water.
Transportation
:Either take a bus from Seoul Express Bus Terminal, or take a train from
Seoul Station to Naju (takes four hours and 30 minutes). Naju House is a 15
minute walk from Naju Station |
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• Cheonjinam Shrine in Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do
Bongjeongsa Temple in Andong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was established by
the venerable Neung-in in 672 during the Silla era. The oldest wooden structure
existing in Korea, Geungnakjeon Hall (or Paradise Hall) manifests a distinctly
Korean architectural approach, while other temple buildings are closer in style
to Chinese temples. Cheonjinam is the cradle of Korean Catholicism, where
classes on Catholic doctrine and religious activities took place for the first
time about 200 years ago. It is also where Korean Catholic laymen first erected
their own church. The compound hosts the graves of five pioneers who helped
introduce the faith.
Transportation : Take bus No. 113-1 at Dong
Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seoul, get off at Doyecheon (a 1 hour ride) and
then take a local bus heading for Usan-ri for 20 minutes to get to Cheonjinam. |
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• Mirinae Shrine in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do
The Mirinae Shrine
is where the remains of the first Korean priest St. Kim Dae-geon, are buried.
Also on the compound are the church of the Most Holy Trinity, memorializing 103
canonized saints, and a stone statue of St. Kim
Dae-geon.
Transportation : It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes by
shuttle bus from the front gate of Gyeongwon Middle School near Jamwon Station,
Subway Line 3. The bus departs at 09:30 Monday through Friday. From December
through February, the bus runs only on Fridays. |
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• Verone Shrine in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do
Verone became an
official holy place in Korea when it came to be known as the place where a
Confucian scholar named Hwang Sa-yong wrote a letter in a cave describing the
horrible picture of persecution launched in 1801. He appealed to a Chinese
bishop for help in rescuing the persecuted Korean
Catholics.
Transportation :Take a bus at the Seoul Express Bus
Terminal heading for Wonju (two hours and 30 minutes) and another bus to
Taksajeong (takes 40-minutes), get off and walk 10 minute to arrive at Verone. |
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• Yeonpung Shrine Center in Goesan-gun,
Chungcheongbuk-do
Many Catholics, escaping from the persecution launched in
Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in 1801, took refuge in Yeonpung and formed a village of
Catholic brethren. It became a base for Catholic pioneers seeking to settle in
the northern part of Gyeongsang-do via Chungcheongbuk-do. Still remaining at the
shrine are a building where police supervised the execution of Catholics and the
office of the Yeonpung-myeon administrator during the Joseon
Dynasty.
Information: Tel (043) 833-5064
Transportation
:Take a bus at Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal (takes 2 hours and 20
minutes), then another one heading for Yeonpung (takes 10 minutes). |
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• Baithi Martyrs' Shrine in Jincheon-gun,
Chungcheongbuk-do
This is a typical religious village established during the
Catholic persecution in the late Joseon eral. It appears that many Catholics at
that time made a living by making pottery, porcelain, or charcoal. One can see
evidence of their having been taken into custody
suddenly.
Information: Tel (043) 533-0691
Transportation
:Take a bus at Dong Seoul Express Bus Terminal heading for Jincheon (every
20 minutes, a 1 hour and 50 minutes ride). From Jincheon to the holy ground, it
is takes 20 minute by taxi). |
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